Know about the Possible Causes of Nosebleed

The human nose is located at the center of the face and is rich in blood vessels. As a result, any minor injury on your nose can cause bleeding of the nose. ‘Epistaxis’ is the medical term used to describe nosebleed. Although nosebleeds occur occasionally, it should not be taken for granted as it can even lead to death. Children are frequent victims of nosebleed. When you come across nosebleed with no specific reason, it can be due to any type of medications, physical conditions or even dry air.

Knowing more about the causes of nosebleed will help you to treat the condition. Here are some possible causes of nosebleed.

Primary Health Conditions

Medical conditions such as kidney disease, liver ailment, long duration alcohol condition or any other health conditions reduces the ability of your blood to clot and hence, nosebleeds occur. Hypertension or congestive heart failure also can cause nosebleeds as the condition increases the body’s blood pressure that lead to shortness of breath or headache. Health conditions like fever and allergies also result in nosebleed.

Dry Air

When the air indoors become dry and is cold outdoors, there are chances that your nose lining can dry out causing cracks and bleeds. This condition is especially common in countries that experience severe cold weather and people use heaters inside their homes to warm up. You can make use of humidifier while going to bed in order to feel relieved from dryness. Nasal sprays are also useful to keep your nostrils moist.

Blood Thinning Prescriptions

Anticoagulant medications like aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs used to cure pain are also the major reason of nosebleed. Any medications that hinder your blood to clot paves way for nosebleed.

Scratching of Nose or Picking of Nose

The activities that include scratching or picking of nose, especially by children or even adults causes injuries to the blood vessels within the nostrils and this leads to bleeding of the nose.

Inherited Bleeding Syndromes

Bleeding disorders can be inherited genetically. It can pass on to a baby from the mother.

Other Grounds

High altitude, sinusitis, calcium deficiency and exposure to chemicals that cause irritation to your mucous membrane also leads to nosebleed.

Treating Nosebleed at Home

Steps to follow are as mentioned:

Lean forward in the sitting position and apply direct pressure by pinching the nose to cease bleeding. Shut your nostrils for about 10 minutes and breathe through your mouth.

If you find the bleeding to continue, then apply a nasal decongestant spray such as afrin and vicks sinex to compress the blood vessels of your nose and apply pressure to cease bleeding.

You can even make use of a nose pinching device.

Ointments and saline act as good moisturizers for the nostrils and stops nosebleed.

Care should be taken to get immediate medical aid for any nosebleed if the condition persists for more than a few minutes and is not curable by manual pressure.